GAME AS A NATIONAL RESOTJKCE. 11 



one of the principal motives for the establishment of the Yellowstone Na- 

 tional Park was to secure an advantageous place for the protection and per- 

 petuation of our noble game. * * * This large tract of land is one great 

 natural pasture well supplied with the purest water and ample cover for the 

 game in the virgin forest and inaccessible canyons and mountain peaks. It is, 

 in other words, an ideal natural game preserve. 



Thus does one of the most eminent members of the medical profes- 

 sion refer to the largest of the national parks, created in part as a 

 game refuge, and recommend persons in search of recreation or 

 relaxation to seek health and strength amid its game and scenery. 



Quail shooting, duck hunting, and the pursuit of big game all have 

 their devotees, who, in their favorite sport, find health, relaxation, 

 and inspiration in an outing in the woods or on the water. The 

 lists of upland-game and duck-shooting clubs and the records of non- 

 resident hunting licenses contain the names of statesmen, prominent 

 bankers, business men. and captains of industry. Avho in this form 

 of diversion find health and strength sufficient to warrant large ex- 

 penditures of capital. The very fact that busy men of affairs are 

 identified with various projects which afford opportunities for hunt- 

 ing game or prospects of increasing it shows that business men find 

 in the pursuit of game a satisfactory return in health as well as in 

 pleasure or relaxation. 



RETURNS FROM LICENSE FEES. 



The hunting-license fees now required in most of the States con- 

 stitute a comparatively modern source of income, dating back only 

 to 189r>. Since that year, when the hunting-license system was in 

 force in only a few States, it has been greatly extended, until now 

 every State requires nonresidents to obtain licenses, and all but 

 three — Delaware. Mississippi, and Xorth Carolina — make similar re- 

 quirements of residents. Licenses are issued not onlf for hunting 

 game, but also for shipping, for breeding, and in some States for 

 selling game. Tags are also supplied for marking each piece of 

 game which is allowed to be sold. Where the tagging system is in 

 operation considerable amounts may be collected, even though, as 

 in New York, the tagging is limited to certain foreign species or to 

 game raised in captivity. 



Owing to the fact that a few States have not yet required licenses 

 from residents, that most States allow persons to hunt on their own 

 lands without licenses, and that some States combine hunting and 

 fishing licenses, the license returns do not afford an accurate index 

 of the number of hunters. Moreover, licenses are issued in such dif- 

 ferent wa} T s and the cost of collecting data varies so much that it 

 is almost impossible to obtain accurate figures showing the actual 

 receipts from this source. Under these circumstances it is prac- 



